MADEC Youth Services
Since 2001, the Mackay and District Education Centre (MADEC) has worked closely with the youth sector and young people "at risk" of early school leaving and has experienced first hand the need for youth focused, customised education/training programs that meets the end goal of assisting young people to escape the stigma of being "at risk" and to become "in demand".
MADEC has extensive experience in delivering programs to young people in the region and has delivered the following federal and state funded programs to disadvantaged and disengaged young people:
Youth Access Program
Objectives of this program include increasing motivation at school, undertake vocational training or finding employment in traineeships or apprenticeshipsFind out more about
The Youth Access Program
The MADEC WAY
The MADEC WAY strategy promotes the true definition of the word "work" - exertion to produce or accomplish something; productive activity; and deed of performanceFind out more about
The MADEC Way
Job Placement (JPET)
JPET is a program that helps young people who are disadvantaged to get things together and is aimed at young people aged between 15 and 21 years, are homeless or might become homelessFind out more about Job Placement, Employment & Training
Youth Crime Prevention
The MDYCPS will engage with young people who are already offending, or at risk of offending behaviour, their communities and service providers
Find out more about
Youth Crime Prevention
The Get Set For Work ProgramThe Get Set For Work program provides young people with a pathway either to employment or back into formal education and/or training. The target group for The Get Set For Work program includes young people aged 15-17 years who have disengaged from school, or are “at high risk” of disengaging, and who do not see alternative courses offered by schools or TAFE colleges as an immediately appropriate option. These young people are likely to be experiencing personal issues and may not be attending school regularly. The Get Set For Work program should not be seen as a mainstream option for young people to choose during their senior phase of learning, but rather is a program that offers a “safety net” after all other learning options have been explored and the young person remains determined to leave school, or has left school and is unlikely to find employment without assistance.. Referrals to the program may come from schools through the Youth Support Coordinator or Youth Pathways services, or from community and government agencies with a youth welfare focus such as; the Department of Communities, Centrelink or the Job Placement, Employment and Training program. The duration of an individual’s participation in the program is based on the time needed to achieve an outcome rather than the length of a program. Some participants will be ready to move on at three (3) months, some will take much longer. The program will include some formal training in accredited courses in Work Readiness and elective units offered from either Construction Safety, Business Administration or Teacher Aide courses. The Get Set for work program will be offered in Mackay, Moranbah, Proserpine, Bowen, Mirani and Sarina. |
Youth Pathways ProgramYouth Pathways is a government initiative offered by MADEC in the Mackay, Whitsunday and Hinterland region, which helps young people that are struggling at school to make the transition from school to further education, training or employment. The program is aimed at young people aged 13 to 19 that are thinking about leaving school or have recently left Year 12. Youth Pathways offers one-on-one assistance to help young people focus on their strengths and goals and look at how to deal with any barriers they may face. Participants will receive an assessment, assistance, and ongoing support and guidance to help them continue with effective participation in education, training or employment services programs. Assistance may include: motivation; problem solving; skills development; counseling; mentoring; advocacy; mediation; assistance to access education, training and employment services. Also, where appropriate it may include referral to: specialised support services such as youth suicide or drug and alcohol services; and community groups that engage at-risk young people in sporting, cultural, recreational and other community activities. The preferred order of outcomes for Participants of Youth Pathways is as follows: |
Other programs
In addition to the above government funded programs, MADEC has self-funded the Mackay Youth Drive Alive program in partnership with the local Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) and Queensland Transport. The Youth Drive Alive Program is an educational young driver program with a focus on improving attitudes, promoting safer road behaviour and increasing hazard perception.
Time Out Program
A recent addition to MADEC's services to young people at risk, is the provision of an Education Queensland endorsed School Suspension program which is aimed at young people aged between 10-14 years who are currently on, or are at high risk of entering, 6-20 day formal suspension from the education system.
